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The Opinion Makers
listen:
  For thirteen years, David Moore worked at the Gallup Poll, where he was instructed that “media polls are not used to uncover the thoughts of the public but rather to manufacture public opinion”. Moore's account of his time at Gallup shows the methodology pollsters use to get the results they need. We’ll look at the underbelly of polls and polling. Guests
David Moore will be speaking on his book "The Opinion Makers" tonight at 7pm at Water Street Bookstore in Exeter. For more information call 603.778.9731 or click here
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Maybe we should have a national effort to respond as "undecided" to pollsters and keep the election a process determined by the voters.
Our obsession with political polls, as well as the media's, is connected with the unfortunate characterization of elections as sporting events, where the object is simply to win. It is hugely frustrating to sit through political coverage and "analysis" that is concerned merely with who's ahead, who's catching up, what A has to do to improve his score relative to B's. Even on the Exchange, Ms. Knoy pressed Dennis Kucinich for twenty minutes as to why he was bothering to continue his campaign in the face of low poll numbers, until he finally called a halt to it and insisted that they discuss the issues. Elections are held not just to choose a winner, but also to have a public discussion of issues and concerns, to hear a variety of opinions, even when those opinions come from those who are less "popular" and probably won't win. We need those discussions; they are infinitely more important than who is winning at the moment. The winning itself is simply the end of the process -- it shouldn't be the focus of attention during the entire campaign.
As for the polls themselves, to me they seem little more than market research. It's absurd to think that the answers given to a campaign pollster are actually going to help frame policy -- they will simply be used to adjust the spin of political ads to appeal more favorably to your "demographic." It's a sales campaign, nothing else.
Here's a suggested script to use when your dinner is interrupted for the third time:
"You want me to answer your questions? Why on earth should I want to do that? It certainly doesn't do me any good. The fact is, you guys are the ones who should be answering our questions, we voters shouldn't have to answer yours. Just have your guy or gal and the other guy stand up and say as clearly and as honestly as possible what their positions are, and answer any questions that are put to them. Then the voters will go to the polls and do the rest. I should answer your questions just so your guy can adjust his spin? I don't think so! And you say it makes it hard to run an 'efficient' campaign if you can't poll voters? Tough. I'm more interested in my own problem, which is deciding who to hire to run the government."
Have I used this script? No, I just screen my calls. But don't worry -- I'll vote.